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8 abandoned babies get foster families

The permanent committee for the care of abandoned children headed by Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Medical Zone, on Monday approved the applications of eight families wishing to adopt babies found abandoned recently.

In all, 21 couples had applied for the adoption of the eight children currently in the care of Dar Al Amman of the Social Service Department.

Eight babies were found abandoned in Al Qasimia, Abu Shagara and other areas of the emirate in the first six months of this year. One of them was, in fact, thrown down a garbage chute from the ninth floor by his mother. Several families applied to take foster care of this baby, said Afaf Al Miri, Director of the Social Service Department and secretary of the committee.

At its meeting, the committee deferred the reviewing of three applications, while it rejected the other 10 applications because they failed to meet all requirements and conditions laid down by the committee to adopt a child.

Al Miri said the committee, comprising representatives from the government departments concerned like the Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police; Director-General of the Sharjah Immigration and Naturalisation Department and President of the Sharjah Courts, holds periodical meetings to discuss the applications for adoption and the rules and regulations for adopting abandoned children.

In Monday’s meeting, the committee discussed the services provided to foster families and the difficulties faced by abandoned children during school enrolment and issuance of birth certificate and other documents.

The members presented a number of solutions and recommendations to address these problems to help these children lead a normal and happy life like other people. The recommendations would facilitate their smooth enrolment in schools and issuance of all their documents.

Al Miri said the department is making all efforts to provide all basic needs for the abandoned children, including finding proper shelters for them and protecting them from abuse.

A top official at the Sharjah Police said that tough penalties would be taken against those who provide shelter or foster an abandoned child without informing the police as per Article 23 of Law No. 3 of 2006 which regulates the caretaking of children whose parentage is not known. The penalties include a jail term of not less than six months and fines.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr said social contribution is essential to provide the best care to such children and to raise them in a healthy environment so that they become good citizens and participate in the future development of the country.

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